Extraordinary English Results by Winchester Students!

Rohan Roberts, HOD English
21st August, 2010

How did 18 students doing the IGCSE English as a First Language paper ALL score an A* or A? What does it take to achieve a top grade in English in the IGCSE Exams?

The Legend of Auratix

Joanna Jacob, 5 July ‘10
“The Legend of Auratix” is a mythical story about the Greek goddess of personality and poise, from the pen of Joanna Jacob, a young writer only in year 7.

Cigarettes or Chocolate Milk?

Tannya Jajal, 28 June ‘10
Have you ever walked past a bunch of teenagers, cigarettes in hand, smoke enveloping the air around them, and wondered what the reason for their tobacco addiction might be? Is it depression, anger, or simply the rebellious streak found amongst teenagers? Or, is it merely peer pressure?

Student Hangouts

Eliqa Jaafar, 28 June ‘10
Where do Dubai teens like to hang out? Eliqa fills us in on the details.

Fashion 2010

Utsa Bhatia, 28 June ‘10
As you gradually escalate from the parking level to the scenic mall level of The Dubai Festival City, you see before you a series of metamorphosed people. From women manipulating the function of the abaaya, to fully grown straight men donning rainbow-coloured trousers. What has this world come to?

Healthcare in Dubai

Jurgienne Arizza Umali, 28.7.10
“Unfortunately, with all the success and new medical infrastructure sprouting all over the place, medical malpractice and neglect are still abundant. Overpricing and callous handling of patients are also frequent occurrences in these hospitals and clinics, leaving patients disgruntled and unsatisfied.”

Interview with Mr. Raminder Vig

Priyanka Lopez, 27 June ‘10
Mr. Raminder Vig, the former principal of The Winchester School, left for the UK last month as part of his promotion within the GEMS group. He is now Director of GEMS schools in the UK and Europe. Phoebus Online editor, Priyanka Lopez, got in touch with Mr. Vig last week. This is the transcript of her interview with him.

Are aliens among us?

Rohan Roberts, 27 June ‘10
What do we make of claims of alien abductions? Are there little green men who walk among us? How would we communicate with aliens? How likely is the possibility of life outside the bounds of our tiny planet?

Camp Green Mountain

Asima Ujra, 27 June ‘10
“Camp Green Mountain” is a crafty and thrilling short story filled with suspense. A group of teenagers embark on a camping trip where things go terribly wrong. Written in an excellent narrative style, the story will keep the reader on tenterhooks till the nail-biting climax.

Alegra

Nishika Ganwani, 24 June ‘10
“Alegra” is a captivating story set in a distant, dystopian future – a future where genetic engineering has gone amok and conflict rages between humans and mutants. Caught in the crossfire is a brave young girl, Alegra, who discovers a shocking secret.

Lesson Plans in Voodoo

Rohan Roberts, 17 June ‘10
How would a sceptical and sophisticated science teacher like Mr. Manoj react to the possibility that someone was trying to put a hex on him? That is exactly what Mr. Green and Mr. Roberts set out to discover.

Dreamcatcher

Myra Adnan, 17 June ‘10
“Dreamcatcher” is a delightful and magical tale about a girl who can control her dreams. Narrated with wonderful craft and excellent narrative skill, this story will transport your senses to another world.

Useless Knowledge

Rohan Roberts, 15 June ‘10
Is there some knowledge that is useless? Should the pursuit of understanding have a utilitarian goal? How do we decide what knowledge is useful? Is ignorance really bliss?

Year: 2600

Wayne Adrian Rocque, 13 June ‘10
A spectacular and breath-taking account of humanity’s future. “Year: 2600″ paints a disquieting and evocative vision of mankind’s foray into space.

Alopecia Areata

Ishita Sharma, 12 June ‘10
We all treasure our appearance and value people’s opinion of us. But what happens when an otherwise pretty and confident teenager starts to lose her hair? How does one cope? “Alopecia Areata” is a piercing dramatisation of an illness that could affect anyone at any time.

Height Matters

Teresa Francis, 12 June ‘10
Ever wondered what it’s like to be on the shorter side? “Height Matters” is a brief anecdotal piece about the perils and pitfalls that short people have to navigate.

The Final Annihilation

Fay Rodrigues, 10 June ‘10

“The Final Annihilation” is a dark story that explores the wild and savage aspects of the human psyche. Its surreal and atmospheric description of people and setting will transport you to another world.

Something Special

Faiza Syed, 7 June 2010
“Something Special” is a delightful and heart warming coming-of-age story about finding direction and meaning in life and getting inspired.

Food for thought

Jurgienne Arizza Gomez, 7 June 2010
“Food for thought” is a gritty and abrasive short story about a girl’s struggle against bulimia. Narrated with powerful candour, the story will leave the reader mildly disconcerted but wholly impressed with the writer’s realism.

You thought you had nothing

Rachel Long, 5 June 2010
“You thought you had nothing” is a bold story told with wonderful control and honesty. It takes a close look at the harshness and unfairness of life and affords the reader the opportunity to consider the small blessings in life.

Yours Forever

Tannya Jajal, 5 June 2010
A poignant story about love, loss, and emotional trauma told with excellent narrative skill by the deputy headgirl, Tanya Jajal. This story will cause the reader to re-examine the relationships we take for granted.

Interview with Crystal Bowersox

On a recent American Idol press call, Crystal Bowersox opened up being the season nine runner-up, her recent breakup with her longtime boyfriend, Tony, the impact this journey has had on her son, and tries to pinpoint the exact feeling she felt on stage as Ryan Seacrest announced the season nine campaign. Bowersox also goes on to give interesting tidbits about her life and recounts her most unusual gig performing at a wake for a fallen skydiver.

Iron Man 2 Review

Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment present the highly anticipated sequel to the blockbuster film based on the legendary Marvel Super Hero “Iron Man,” reuniting director Jon Favreau and Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr. In “Iron Man 2.”

On Altruism

Rohan Roberts, 5th June 2010
Why do we help others? Are humans inherently good or evil? How do we reconcile our cooperative behaviour and our violent aggression? Why do we put our lives at risk to save strangers?

Gone

Eliqa Jaafar, 5th June 2010
A story of a lonely and abandoned teenager, told with heartfelt sincerity and wonderful narrative skill.